PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as he has a current diagnosis of PTSD that can be linked to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and verifying an in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IBS with lactose intolerance and adjustment disorder with depressed mood are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.,Claims for earlier effective dates for the 30 percent ratings assigned for IBS with lactose intolerance and adjustment disorder with depressed mood are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, effective November 23, 2008. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits file. A new VA psychiatric examination will also be scheduled to assess the impact of PTSD on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation, effective September 11, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, to include secondary depressive disorder, is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection based on a verified in-service stressor and competent medical evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to such stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors occurred and are related to her current condition. The other issues regarding gynecological disorder and a nervous stomach have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service sexual assault or another stressor, and a VA examination is required.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder, is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a superimposed injury or disease resulting in additional disability during service. The Veteran was diagnosed with a personality disorder during service which may be considered secondary to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was incurred during her active military service. The decision is based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Central State Hospital records. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder found to be present.

The Veteran's appeal to increase the disability rating for his service-connected PTSD from 70 percent has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development involving Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran met the criteria for a 100 percent rating for PTSD as of September 2, 2007, and granted an effective date of September 2, 2007, but not earlier.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that his diagnoses were not based on a verified stressor and he was not credible in his statements regarding sailors going overboard during the typhoon.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination. The goal is to determine the current severity of his PTSD and its impact on his social and industrial adaptability.